Paris on My Mind

My ultimate dream is to visit what I consider to be the most romantic city in the world, Paris.  

Have my photo taken with the  Eiffel Tower behind me,

 go on a Seine river cruise...

Eat french macaroons, 

coffee at a sidewalk cafe...

Visit the Louvre Museum...

But since that dream is somewhat elusive for now, I am content with just day dreaming and wishing that someday I can blog about the things I did in Paris ♥

On a day dreaming mode...

Reality Check: We Can't Please Everybody...

Let me just say, that at last I finished my blog challenge!  It took me almost a 100 days to finish a 30-day blog challenge, how embarrassing!  But at least I made it until the last day so I guess that is an accomplishment in itself.

As much as I want to update my blog on a daily basis, reality is that I can't because of the many obligations that I have.  But I will do my best to post something each week. :)

Well, this was a week of realization of sorts.  I have realized that sometimes opportunities do come back and knock on your door for the second time.  Well it is really up to you if you want to give it another shot or let it pass, again!  But if you are wiser, I'd say better grab on it and never let go.  Take the risk, because it might be the last time that it would ever come your way.

Another realization is that no matter how we try to do good, or try to do what we feel is right, there will always be people who would be on the other side of the fence.  That is pretty normal of course, because as the old saying goes, "we can't please everyone".  But sometimes it still is hard to believe that these people do exist.  I guess we just have to live with the reality that no matter what we do, good or bad, criticisms would always just be around the corner.

So to sum it all up, I would say, do whatever you think is right for you.  Live your life according to what you know would make you happy, the people who truly loves you would be happy for you no matter what.

Just keeping it real...

Day 28: A quote you try to live by

Choose to be happy.  That is something I try to live by everyday.  Despite whatever life throws at you, how you react is your choice.  You can choose to be angry, frustrated, disappointed... but it would not get you anywhere.

You have a choice each and every single day.  Problems, trials and stress are part of life.  It is your choice whether you would let it affect you.   Life is too short to waste on negative emotions.

 So choose to be happy.  Whether things are a bit gloomy, even when you feel like the world is on your shoulders and life is weighing you down, I hope that you find it in your heart to still choose happiness.

There will always be a reason for you to be happy...

So live your life well and make the right choices...

Choose to be grateful, Choose to feel blessed, Choose to be happy...

I choose happiness ♥

Day 19: A Picture of a Happy Memory

I took these photos of my kids last week when we attended the summer outing of CCMC's Tumor club.  I was sitting under the shade watching them in the pool, and just took these random photos of them playing, Andre carrying Micah on his back pretending to be a dolphin and later on Micah sharing her cookies with her brother.

Looking at them made me so happy.   I must have done something good in the past to be blessed with my kids. It makes me proud whenever I see how they take care of each other.  

I am just glad I brought the camera that day and was able to capture those special moments that are now part of all my happy memories.

Day 13: Post a picture of something yellow

"Yellow" for me is the color of happiness.  Just like the sun, the color yellow radiates warmth and gives out a cheerful glow.  Yellow is not really my color when it comes to my choice of clothes, but since it's summer, I might be open to wearing something yellow just for the fun of it.  We'll see :)

Insta-Friday: Siblings

It is a blessing to grow up with a sibling,  You would always have a play mate you can never get rid of, someone to talk to, to lean on, to laugh with over silly things.  You may get into fights once in a while, but you know that you would always have someone to watch your back.

My kids may have their share of sibling rivalry.  They may have their fights and arguments over little things, they don't always share common interests and are exact opposites, Andre being a home buddy and Micah always wanting to go outside and play, but they have always looked out for each other even at a young age.

I am proud of how Andre would always hold Micah's hand whenever they are in the play ground, helping her up the slide, or how Micah would always look for her Kuya Andre first thing when she wakes up.

To have a sibling, is to have a friend given by God.  To know that whatever happens, you would always have someone to be there and share life's ups and downs.  Andre and Micah may still be young, but I  think they know how blessed they are to have each other.

Blessed to have grown up with 3 brothers,

Aim To Be Happy

Things have been too hectic lately.  It seems that I always have so many things to do, yet so little time.  So today, I promised myself to just pause and find a moment to share my thoughts even for just a little while.

There are moments in our life when we seem to be uninspired to do anything.  It's like being caught in a sadness spell and all you want to do is "do nothing"!  But I realized that we should learn to overcome those moments and learn to find joy and inspiration over the simplest of things.  

Life is too short to focus only on things that would make us sad.  Always aim to be happy, because happiness is like a switch that would bring light even in the gloomiest of days.

No-Cook Pastillas

 The big jar with filled with milk candies wrapped in bright yellow plastic caught my kids attention while we were lining up at the cashier in a convenience store.  Andre was the first to ask me if I could buy one for him.  He specifically said, "Mommy, just one for me and one for Micah too." But I bought 5 pastillas just in case they wanted more, and I was surprised that each costs 5 pesos.  A bit expensive considering that they were shaped into tiny balls, the size of those colored bubble gums you see in sari-sari stores.

So I decided to make my own no-cook pastillas.  It is simple and the recipes you would find in your own kitchen.  All you need are the following:

- 2 cups powdered milk (I used Nido for this recipe)
- 1 small can condensed milk
- Sugar for coating

How to make your own pastillas:

- Blend the first two ingredients (powdered milk and condensed milk).  Mix them well until smooth.
- Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Shape them into balls or logs and coat with sugar.
- You may wrap them in plastic cellophane if you like. 

If you have kids, you can ask them to help you coat the pastillas in sugar or they can do the wrapping, it would be a good bonding activity.  The mixing part would be reserved for adults  because once you combine the ingredients, it becomes too sticky and hard to mix.  A good upper arm work out though! 

My kids were excited to share the pastillas, Andre even told his playmates that his mommy was making candies!  Try  out this simple recipe and enjoy a yummy milky treat!

Have A Happy Long Weekend!

It's Saturday and I'm so excited because it is another looooong weekend.  What are your plans?  Whatever it is, hope you enjoy your weekend because I know I will.

So today, I'm keeping it short and simple.  Whatever it is that is happening in your life, always find a way to be happy.  Let go of all the things that are making you sad.  Always remember that YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY!

Happiness = Being Grateful + focusing on what's good

I read an article from Bro. Bo Sanchez.  An inspiring article which reminds us that the key to happiness is to always be thankful and focus on what is good.  It seems very simple, yet so many of us tend to forget to appreciate the good within ourselves, the good in others and the goodness around us. 

A portion of the article says: The key to happiness is gratitude. A grateful person is a happy person. And an ungrateful person is an unhappy person.

How does Bro. Bo define a grateful person? A grateful person focuses on what is good.

So if a grateful person is a happy person, and a grateful person focuses on what is good,I therefore conclude that a happy person is someone who sees the good in everything.

I was also told that if we want to be truly happy, then we should start counting our blessings that money cannot buy.

To read more of that article, please click here.

I Choose To be Happy

Today I have decided that I want to be happy, 

I want to feel good about myself.  

I choose not to think about things that would irritate me.  

I need to stop worrying about tomorrow, 

but rather focus on what I can do for today.  

I want to be a better version of myself each and every day.  

If some people may not approve of me, 

or thinks differently about me, that is not my problem.  

I can't change myself according to what others want me to be.  

I have my family and my friends who love me for ME 

and I am blessed to have them in my life.  

As long as I know that I am not stepping on anyone's toes, 

I will continue to live my life according to how I know God wants me to live it.

Happiness is a CHOICE  

and today I am making that choice for myself.

Happiness Will Find You

 

Happiness lives for those who cry, those who are hurt,

those who have searched, and those who tried;

For only they can appreciate the importance

of people who have touched their lives.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;

They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

If you pursue happiness, it will elude you.

But if you focus on your family, your friends,

the needs of others, your wotk and doing the very best you can,

happiness will find you.

Stay happy

"Always strive to be happy, no matter what!"

Secrets to a Happy Life

A Good way to be happy is to learn the common characteristics of happy person and apply them.

• - Forget the past
• - Take responsibility for your life
• - Build relationships
• - Develop multiple passions
• - Build your character
• - Be who you are
• - Live your life purpose
• - Have positive mind
• - Work creatively
• - Use your talents
• - Make others happy
• - Practice compassion
• - Live your life purpose

 
http://www.unp.co.in/f8/simple-secrets-to-happy-life-43138/